News Update
October 27, 2011
Local and Regional Food Bill Prepared for Inclusion in
New Farm Bill
Today Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Representative Chellie Pingree of Maine announced that next week they will introduce the Local Farms, Food and Jobs Act, a comprehensive bill intended for inclusion in the 2012 Farm Bill.
This legislation is intended to help farmers and ranchers engaged in local and regional agriculture by addressing production, aggregation, processing, marketing and distribution needs. It will also assist consumers by improving access to healthy food. Of utmost importance, the bill will provide secure farm bill funding for critically important programs that support family farms, expand new farming opportunities and rural jobs, and invest in the local agriculture economy.
“We applaud Senator Brown and Congresswoman Pingree for introducing this legislation, which is important to farmers and consumers alike,” said Helen Dombalis, a policy associate with the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC). “The Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act revises and expands federal farm programs already in place to ensure that they work well for producers wanting to add value to their products and to sell in their own communities and regional markets, helping to meet rapidly expanding consumer demand for local food.”
NSAC and its 40 member groups were closely involved in the development of the bill. Among the many other groups endorsing the measure are the National Farmers Union (NFU), National Organic Coalition, Community Food Security Coalition, American Farmland Trust (AFT), and the National Farm to School Network.
The bill includes provisions that cut across 10 titles of the present Farm Bill, including proposals that address conservation, credit, nutrition, rural development, food safety, livestock, crop insurance, and research and exteinsion. For instance, the bll would:
- Authorize USDA’s Risk Management Agency to develop a whole farm revenue insurance product for diversified operations, including specialty crops and mixed grain/livestock or dairy operations;
- Strengthen direct producer-to-consumer and larger scale retail and institutional marketing channels through the Local Marketing Promotion Program, a renewal and expansion of the current Farmers’ Market Promotion Program;
- Expand USDA’s rural Business and Industry loan funding set-aside for local and regional food enterprises and infrastructure;
- Create an annual allocation for local and regional specialty crop market development within the Specialty Crop Block Grant program;
- Renew funding for the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program to assist producers entering into organic production; and
- Fund farmer food safety training through the National Food Safety Training, Education, Extension, Outreach and Technical Assistance program, authorized last year as part of the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2010.
For more information on the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act, visit NSAC’s website.
Think About Culling Herds to Save Hay and Money
Feeding hay will come sooner than normal for some cattle farmers this fall. The hot, dry conditions across much of cattle country this summer left cattle with thin pastures and not much to chew this fall.
While not opportune, these conditions give farmers a chance to look at their cattle herds with a critical eye and evaluate their feeding options. “It’s an excellent time to take inventory of your feed supply and think about culling your herd,” said Rob Kallenbach, University of Missouri (MU) Extension forage specialist.
Culling makes sense when faced with feed supply issues. Cows with a history of calving problems, poor teeth or those that remain open can be sold to save hay and money.
“Often when we have to sell out of a drought we’re also looking at depressed animal prices, but cull cow prices are really good right now despite all the hardships,” Kallenbach said. “For better culled cows, prices are 70¢ per pound. That’s a pretty good price for a 1,300-pound animal.”
Once a herd is streamlined, cattle producers should evaluate whether they have enough hay to make it through the winter. If hay reserves run low, farmers can supplement with other feed sources such as distillers’ grain and corn gluten feed. Some will dip into lower-quality hay to meet their needs. Kallenbach said ammonification of lower-quality forages gets more use when farmers are trying to stretch hay supplies for cows in good body condition.
“Most producers give their cows 24-hour access to hay, but they can limit that to an eight hour access period,” Kallenbach said. “The herd will eat 90% of what they’d eat otherwise, but you stretch out the hay supply 10%.”
Kallenbach said it remains important to test your forage for quality. Hay baled during drought-like conditions can contain high nitrate levels that can poison cattle. Knowing the nutrient levels cattle will get from your hay crop helps you make the right feeding decisions. Kallenbach can be contacted at kallenbachr@missouri.edu or 573-884-2213.
DNA Test for Gain, Grade Available Soon
A new DNA test for marbling and postweaning growth will soon help cattle producers better hit the high-quality beef target. The tool, set to debut in early 2012, will be made available under a development agreement between Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) and Pfizer Animal Genetics, the companies announced.
Exclusive marketing rights are reserved for Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB), in line with the company’s continuing effort to increase the supply of cattle for the brand. AGI and CAB are subsidiaries of the American Angus Association.
The test is being designed for use on high-percentage, commercial Angus cattle sired by registered bulls, according to AGI President Bill Bowman. “It should provide a valuable tool to increase the precision of selection decisions at the ranch, as well as differentiating value for the feedlot,” he said.
Test results will take the form of an index, which is being finalized this fall, said Mark McCully, CAB assistant vice president for supply.
“There have been lots of advancements in the purebred cattle industry utilizing DNA for selection,” Bowman said. “But this will be the first test at a price point that is economically feasible for commercial cattlemen. The American Angus Association, its subsidiaries and Pfizer Animal Genetics are excited to partner on bringing this technology to market for the users of Angus genetics.”
Scott Bormann, business director, Pfizer Animal Genetics, says the development of this product is another example of the strategic partnership between the companies.
“We appreciate the American Angus Association and its affiliates continuing to foster innovation in the field of genetic evaluation,” Bormann said. “The forward-thinking collaboration should result in a DNA test that helps continue to advance genomic use and application, the Angus breed, as well as meet consumer demand for high-quality beef.”
McCully noted expected uses for the tool. “This is going to allow for more accurate replacement heifer selection and targeted management in feeding Angus cattle,” he said. “With demand for high-quality beef at an all-time high, commercial cattlemen will soon gain a greater ability to identify those cattle most able to access premiums in that marketplace.”
Updated Agricultural Employer Checklist Available
Michigan agricultural employers have a tool that can help them stay current with state and federal requirements when they hire and employ agricultural workers. The Michigan State University Extension Agricultural Employer Checklist was recently updated in September 2011.
The MSU Extension Agricultural Employer Checklist started in 2003, and was recently updated by Stan Moore (MSU Extension dairy educator) and Phil Taylor (outreach specialist, MSU Telfarm Center). This resource is a checklist with basic information on what every agricultural employer needs to know about hiring employees, procedures to follow, forms to fill out, and taxes to deduct and to pay.
There are sections on what employers must do before hiring employees, responsibilities after hiring, what employers must provide to employees, what employers must submit annually and other labor regulations and resources.
The checklist also includes phone numbers and websites where agricultural employers can get more information, publications and forms. If employers use the online version of the checklist, links to the website are active within the document.
The checklist is also helpful for employees who want to know more about employment paperwork and where to get further information.
For more information please contact Stan Moore, MSU Extension dairy educator at moorest@msu.edu or at 231-533-8818.
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